Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Chapter 7- Question
In composition/ writing class, errors in grammar/spelling should be treated in a different way. However, many teachers ( including me) almost always correct grammar and/or spelling errors because they are just right there repeatedly if the teacher does not correct them. According to Ferris and Hedgcock, how should teachers treat grammar/ spelling errors in Composition class?
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According to Ferris and Hedgcock, teachers should treat grammar and spelling errors through indirect correction instead of direct correction. Direct correction, according to the authors, is teacher correcting errors for the student on their writing. I think a lot of teachers tend to do direct correction but Ferris and Hedgcock mention that the research shows direct correction is ineffective and does not help reduce those errors in students’ next writing. I think the reason for that is due to the fact that the corrections are simply given to the students instead of them having to correct the error on their own. Instead, the authors recommend indirect correction which teachers mark the location of the error without correcting their errors. This approach fosters students’ self-correction for later writing much more than direct correction does. If there is noticeable repeated grammatical or spelling errors, I think it is a good idea for a teacher to write a side note about the error explaining how can be corrected so that students can read the note and correct the errors on their own if they are not familiar with the reason for the error they make. Chapter 5 of the book also suggested that this type of correction should be given after the revision process so that students can focus on the content of their writing in the earlier draft and later worry about editing for grammar and spelling.
ReplyDeleteThe authors state, "More experts agree that indirect feedback clearly has the most potential for helping students to continue their L2 proficiency and metalinguistic knowledege" (269). I would agree with Aya in regards to if the grammar erros are consistent, I would think it might be benificial to write a marginal note that would give the student an understanding of the error.
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